Recent research has unveiled alarming health risks associated with having a gas stove in one’s home, with the devices being linked to thousands of deaths annually.
A study published in the online journal Science Advances indicates that individuals residing in homes equipped with gas or propane stoves are exposed to unhealthy levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a pollutant commonly found in car exhaust.
Long-term exposure to NO₂ could trigger asthma in hundreds of thousands of people with gas stoves leading to as many as 19,000 deaths annually in the US, the paper suggests. These findings coincide with the US Department of Energy’s introduction of new energy-efficiency guidelines for gas and electric stoves earlier this year, prompting a notable backlash.
Gas stoves operate by burning gases, predominantly natural gas or propane, which can emit harmful byproducts including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides like NO₂.
“We found that just how much gas you burn in your stove is by far the biggest factor affecting how much you’re exposed. And then, after that, do you have an effective range hood – and do you use it?” Yannai Kashtan, a PhD student in Earth system science at Stanford University and co-author of the study, said in a statement.
NO₂ primarily impacts the respiratory system, exacerbating respiratory diseases such as asthma and increasing the risk of respiratory infections.
There is also evidence suggesting that NO₂ exposure can worsen existing heart conditions, leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death. Long-term exposure may also affect lung development in children.
According to data from the federal Energy Information Administration, approximately 38 percent of US households use gas stoves, although prevalence varies significantly among states.
The study also highlights the disproportionate impact of NO₂ exposure on communities with low incomes and certain racial and ethnic groups.
American Indian, Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic or Latino households experience higher-than-average NO₂ exposure, compounded by potential exposure from other sources such as vehicle exhaust.
The size of the household also plays a significant role, with smaller homes facing higher NO₂ exposure levels. Individuals living in small two-bedroom apartments are exposed to approximately twice as much NO₂ as the national average, emphasising the need for ventilation measures to mitigate pollutant exposure.
